Hurricane resistant window and screen combination

ABSTRACT

A hurricane resistant window/screen system comprises a structural frame sized to fit substantially within a building window frame, at least one window pane received by the structural frame, at least one screen corresponding to each window pane located at a predetermined distance from the pane, and a retainer and locking means that, in combination, secure the screen to the frame, wherein each screen has a tensile strength that, in combination with the predetermined distance, is sufficient to substantially slow or stop a wooden object that strikes the screen at a speed of approximately 50 feet per second, and is also sufficient to prevent shattering of its corresponding pane when the combination is installed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to windows and window systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hurricane-resistant integrated window and screen combination for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Hurricanes, tornadoes, and other unusual weather conditions have brought attention to the problem of protecting residential, commercial, and industrial buildings from the damage that may be caused by such conditions. In particular, during a hurricane, tornado, or other unusual weather event, strong winds can damage building windows by direct force or, more commonly, by indirect force as the winds pick up objects and guide them toward the windows. The winds effectively make such objects act as missiles that can shatter and/or travel through the window, resulting in damage to the window, external structure, and/or objects and people located inside of the building.

[0003] As a result of the dangers associated with hurricanes and tornadoes, many community building codes now require newly-constructed and renovated buildings to be equipped with hurricane and/or tornado protection. Further, some community building codes even provide for impact testing of windows under specified design wind conditions, using missiles of various sizes.

[0004] Over the years, many attempts have been made to provide hurricane and/or tornado resistant windows. Such prior systems include permanently attached hinged shutters or awnings which may be pulled closed in a window condition, removable protective panels, or other items. A problem with such items is that they must be manually moved to cover the windows before a storm approaches. In addition, such devices are often unable to meet current and pending building codes in various areas. Importantly, such devices also require an undesirable amount of physical space, as they must be mounted beside the window or physically removed when not in use as a protective covering.

[0005] If an integrated system were available that required no manual adjustment of physical features to provide wind protection, and which also fit into an ordinary window frame without any requirement for external mounting, significant improvements in functionality and aesthetics would result.

[0006] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved hurricane-resistant integrated window-screen system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is therefore a feature and advantage of the present invention to provide an improved hurricane-resistant integrated window-screen system. The above and other features and advantages are achieved through the use of a novel integrated window system as herein disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a window-screen combination is provided which includes a structural frame sized to fit substantially within a building window frame. At least one window pane is received by the structural frame and at least one screen corresponding to each pane is also received by the structural frame so as to be located parallel to its corresponding pane and at a predetermined distance from the pane. Preferably the screen is positioned so that it does not substantially protrude from the frame. A retainer and locking means are provided that, in combination, secure the screen to the frame. Each screen has a tensile strength that, in combination with the predetermined distance, is sufficient to substantially slow or stop a wooden object that strikes the screen at a speed of approximately 50 feet per second, and is also sufficient to prevent shattering of its corresponding pane when the combination is installed.

[0008] In a second embodiment the window screen combination is sized to fit within a standard building window frame. This embodiment is illustrated with insulating glass that is protected by high tensile stainless steel screen. In either embodiment the window pane may be of plexiglass, plastic or acrylic material. Where such shatter resistant material is used a somewhat lower tensile strength screen material may be used. In this case the screen has a tensile strength that, is sufficient, in combination with the predetermined distance of the screen from its corresponding pane, to slow a wooden object that strikes the screen at a speed of approximately 50 feet per second, such that in combination with the shatter resistance of the pane, prevents substantial damage in the event the object strikes the pane.

[0009] There have thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0010] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0011] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 provides a front view illustrating several elements of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 provides a cut-away side view illustrating several elements of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 3 provides a cut-away side view illustrating several elements of a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention provides an improved hurricane-resistant integrated window-screen system. A preferred embodiment of the present inventive window-screen system is illustrated in FIG. 1. As viewed from the outside of the building, a window/screen combination includes a structural frame 16. The frame 16 includes a head 8 at the top, a sill 9 at the bottom and vertical jambs 14 and 15. Two window panes 31 and 42 are provided and are separated by a meeting rail 7. Each pane is bounded by a pane frame 5 and 6 that is received by respective guideways 17 and 18 in the frame 16. Each window pane corresponds to a screen 19 and 20 that faces the exterior of the building when installed, while the panes face the interior. Although FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment having two window panes and two screens, the illustrated embodiment is only intended to be exemplary. In an embodiment where the window is not to be opened, a single window pane and screen may be used. In the alternative, three or more windows and screens may be provided.

[0016]FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-away side view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary components of the frame, with window panes 31 and 42 and screens 19 and 20 installed within the single frame so that the window/screen combination can be mounted inside of a standard window frame without substantial, and preferably without any, protrusion from the exterior of building. When installed, the head 8 and sill 9 are positioned to be mounted inside of the building's frame to face the interior of the building. Window panes 31 and 42 are also positioned to face the interior of the building. At least one of the window panes, which is window pane 42 in FIG. 2, is integral with the meeting rail 7. In the example illustration of FIG. 2, window pane 42 is integral with meeting rail 7, and the combination of window pane 42 and meeting rail 7 may be moved up in front of window pane 31, thus opening window pane 42. The meeting rail 7 preferably includes a locking mechanism 10 so that when window pane 42 is opened, the locking mechanism 10 engages a locking receptacle 18 to hold window pane 42 in an open position.

[0017] A first screen 19 is associated with window pane 31. If a second window pane 42 is provided, a second screen 20 is associated with pane 42. When the system is mounted inside a building window frame, the screens 19 and 20 will face the exterior of the building.

[0018] Although the illustration of FIG. 2 shows the bottom window pane 42 as the pane that is capable of movement, alternate embodiments are possible. For example, if it is desired that window pane 31 be opened, window pane 31 may be equipped with a locking mechanism, and a portion of the structural frame such as sill 9 may be equipped with a receptacle to receive the locking mechanism. In addition, window pane 42 may be mounted so that the distance between pane 42 and screen 20 is less or more than the distance between pane 31 and screen 20. Alternatively, in an embodiment where none of the panes is capable of movement, panes 31 and 42 may be mounted in a straight or substantially straight line. In addition, as noted above, only one pane may be provided, in which case the embodiment would have no meeting rail 7, locking mechanism 10, or receptacle 18, and the window pane would remain in a closed position at all times.

[0019] Each window pane is bounded by a pane frame 5 and 6 that is received by respective guideways 17 and 18 in the structural frame. Preferably, the panes and pane frames are connected with a gasket such as 29 and 30, which is preferably made of rubber or vinyl glazing that creates a seal. Preferably gaskets 29 and 30 are also moderately resilient so that they absorb some level of shock. Preferably, each gasket and pane surrounds all or substantially all of its corresponding pane, such as in a boxed style.

[0020] The screens are mounted into the same overall structural frame as the window panes so that installation of the window/screen system into a building window frame is performed as an integral unit. Referring to FIG. 2, each screen such as 19 is received by a screen frame such as 11 and is secured to screen frame 11 by a retainer 12. Preferably, the screen frame 11 and retainer 12 surround the entire or substantially the entire screen 19, such as in a boxed style, and the screen 19 is wrapped around retainer 12 in a tight fashion so that the screen is well-secured to the screen frame. Preferably, one or more screws such as 39 and 40 or other locking devices such as a pin, nail, clip, or other device secures the retainer 12 and screen 19 to the frame 11. Any number of locking devices may be used. Although FIG. 2 only illustrates two screws, when screws or pins are used, they are preferably placed at a minimum at each corner of the retainer 12. It is even more preferable to provide additional items around the retainer to provide a more secure retention of the screen 11 to the retainer 12. Optionally, one or more retainer covers 13 may also be provided for so that the screws or other locking devices are hidden from external view.

[0021] When installed, the window/screen combination is preferably mounted into a building's window frame so that the head 8 and sill 9 engage the building's window frame. Optionally and preferably, one or more screws 40 or other items such as pins, clips, nails, or other locking devices are used to secure the window/screen combination to the building's frame.

[0022] The window panes used in the present invention may be made of any plexiglass, plastic, or acrylic materials such as Lexan, thermoplastic, or another material. Such materials are preferable to standard glass as they are more resistant to shattering upon impact, although glass materials may optionally be used. The screens are preferably comprised of a high tensile stainless steel mesh, although lower tensile screens or screens made of other materials such as galvanized steel may also be used. Preferably, the screen is coated with a finish that secures and stiffens the mesh, such as Duracoat or another epoxy finish.

[0023] The window/screen combination is designed to fit within a standard building frame size, such as approximately 3¼ inches wide for residential frames and approximately four inches wide for commercial applications. The screen portion does not substantially protrude from the frame. Preferably, the screen does not protrude at all. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the screen may be positioned to be slightly exterior of the head 8 or sill 9, but the distance between the screen and the edge of the head or sill is not substantial when compared to the width of the frame itself.

[0024] The distance between each screen and its associated window pane is such that, if a wind-blown object strikes the screen, the missile is slowed, and preferably stopped, by the screen before the object hits the pane, if it hits the pane. Preferably, the object does not hit the pane at all. Thus, the pane is substantially protected from shattering by the combination of the tensile strength of the screen and the distance between the screen and the pane. Preferably, the window/screen combination of the invention is designed to meet the requirements of the missile impact tests of the Building Code of Dade County, Florida, South Florida Building Code section 2315, Dade County Compliance Office Protocol PA 201-94. In the large missile impact test a missile made of wood, such as a two-inch-by-four-inch piece of pine, having a weight of between 9 and 9.5 pounds and a length of between about 7 feet and about 9 feet is hurled at the window/screen combination from a distance of at least approximately 9 feet plus the length of the missile, and the missile produces impact at the screen at a speed of approximately 50 feet per second. Preferably, the tensile strength of the screen and the distance between the screen and the pane of the inventive window/screen combination is such that the pane is not shattered. It is possible that the pane will be chipped, scratched, or slightly cracked, but substantial shattering or breakage will preferably not occur. Thus, in the preferred embodiment the window is still operable after the impact.

[0025] The screen preferably will also have a mesh hole size that is small enough and a tensile strength sufficient to withstand impact by smaller missile, such as a piece of size #6 aggregate, a steel ball, or another small material weighing about 2 grams, that is launched toward the window/screen combination at a speed of about 80 feet per second in order to meet the requirements of the small missile test of Protocol 201-94 referred to above. In accordance with an alternate embodiment, instead of a mesh the screen may be comprised of perforated metal or steel having strength to withstand the impact described above.

[0026]FIG. 3 illustrates a cut-away side view of a second embodiment of the inventive window/screen combination with double glass insulating panes 31 and 42 and screens 19 and 20. As in the previous embodiment, each pane is bounded by a pane frame received by respective guideways 17 and 18 in frame 16. Preferably, the panes are mounted in the pane frames in gaskets 29 and 30. The screens are mounted into the same overall structural frame as the window panes so that installation of the window/screen combination system into a building window frame is performed as an integral unit as in the previous embodiment. Each screen such as screen 19 is received by a screen frame such as 11 and is secured to screen frame 11 by a retainer 12. One or more screws such as 39 and 40 or other locking devices such as a pin, nail, clip or other device secures the retainer 12 and screen 19 to the frame 11. Preferably screen frame 11 and retainer 12 surround the entire or substantially the entire screen 19 and screen 19 is wrapped around retainer 12 in a tight fashion so that the screen is well-secured to the screen frame.

[0027] In this second embodiment the insulating window panes are typically standard glass or other glass materials that have less resistance to shattering upon impact than plexiglass, plastic or acrylic materials. Therefore, in this embodiment it is especially important that the tensile strength of the screen and the distance between the screen and the window pane is sufficient to substantially stop a wind-blown object before the object hits the pane and preferably to prevent the object from hitting the pane. Preferably a screen of high tensile strength wire material is used such as high carbon steel or stainless steel containing at least about 11% by weight chromium, or chromium-nickel stainless steels such as AISI Type 304 or AISI Type 316. Stainless steel screens are resistant to cutting and therefore are also vandal resistant. Desirably the wire has a tensile strength of at least about 100,000 pounds per square inch (psi). More preferably the wire is used in hard drawn form for increased strength, although in the case of high carbon steel wire it may be oil tempered, and in either case has a tensile strength of at least about 200,000 psi, most preferably at least about 300,000 psi. The wire preferably also has a diameter of at least 0.018 inches, more preferably 0.023 inches, and most preferably 0.028 inches. And finally a wire mesh screen having preferably at least 12 wires per lineal inch is used. As in the previous embodiment the wire may be galvanized and/or coated with an epoxy material.

[0028] The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification. Thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirits and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A window-screen combination, comprising: a structural frame sized to fit substantially within a building window frame, the building having an interior and an exterior; at least one window pane received by the structural frame; at least one screen corresponding to each pane that is received by the structural frame, located parallel to its corresponding pane and at a predetermined distance from the pane, and positioned so that the screen does not substantially protrude from the frame; and a retainer and locking means that, in combination, secure the screen two the frame; wherein each screen has a tensile strength that, in combination with the predetermined distance, is sufficient to substantially slow or stop a wooden object that strikes the screen at a speed of approximately 50 feet per second, and is also sufficient to prevent shattering of its corresponding pane when the combination is installed.
 2. The window-screen combination of claim 1 wherein the building window frame has a standard window frame width.
 3. The window-screen combination of claim 1 wherein each pane is comprised of a plexiglass, plastic, or acrylic material.
 4. The window-screen combination of claim 1 wherein each screen is comprised of a mesh material having a tensile strength of at least about 100,000 psi.
 5. The window-screen combination of claim 4 wherein each screen is comprised of a mesh material having a tensile strength of at least about 200,000 psi.
 6. The window-screen combination of claim 5 wherein each screen is coated with an epoxy finish.
 7. The window-screen combination of claim 4 wherein each screen has a mesh size that is no greater than the width of a piece of size #6 aggregate.
 8. The window-screen combination of claim 7 wherein each screen is comprised of at least 12 wires per lineal inch, each of said wires having a diameter of at least 0.023 inches.
 9. The window-screen combination of claim 1 wherein the wooden object has nominal widths of approximately two inches by four inches and a length that is approximately between seven feet and nine feet.
 10. A window-screen combination system, comprising: a structural frame sized to fit substantially within a standard building window frame, the structural frame including at least one guideway; a first window pane that, in combination with a gasket, is received by a pane frame, wherein the pane frame is sized and positioned to be received by one of the guideways; a first screen corresponding to the first pane, the first screen located parallel to and at a predetermined distance from the pane, the first screen further positioned so that the screen does not substantially protrude from the structural frame; and a retainer and locking means that, in combination, secure the first screen to the structural frame; wherein the first screen has a tensile strength that, when the system is installed in combination with the predetermined distance, is sufficient to substantially slow or stop a wooden object that strikes the first screen at a speed of approximately 50 feet per second, and is also sufficient to prevent substantial damage to its corresponding pane.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the mesh size, tensile strength and the predetermined distance are also sufficient to stop or substantially slow a small object weighing approximately 2 grams which strikes the screen at a speed of about 80 feet per second.
 12. The window-screen combination of claim 10 wherein each pane is comprised of a plexiglass, plastic, or acrylic material.
 13. The window-screen combination of claim 10 wherein each screen is comprised of a mesh material having a tensile strength of at least about 100,000 psi.
 14. The window-screen combination of claim 10 wherein each screen is comprised of a mesh material having a tensile strength of at least about 200,000 psi.
 15. The window-screen combination of claim 14 wherein each screen is coated with an epoxy finish.
 16. The window-screen combination of claim 11 wherein each screen has a mesh size that is no greater than the width of a piece of size #6 aggregate.
 17. The window-screen combination of claim 16 wherein each screen is comprised of at least 12 wires per lineal inch, each of said wires having a diameter of at least 0.023 inches.
 18. The window-screen combination of claim 10 wherein the wooden object has nominal widths of approximately two inches by four inches and a length that is approximately between seven feet and nine feet.
 19. A window-screen combination system, comprising: a structural frame sized to fit substantially within a standard building window frame, the structural frame including at least one guideway; a first window pane comprised of plexiglas, plastic or acrylic material that, in combination with a gasket, is received by a pane frame, wherein the pane frame is sized and positioned to be received by one of the guideways; a first screen corresponding to the first pane, the first screen located parallel to and at a predetermined distance from the pane, the first screen further positioned so that the screen does not substantially protrude from the structural frame; and a retainer and locking means that, in combination, secure the first screen to the structural frame; wherein the first screen has a tensile strength that, when the system is installed in combination with the predetermined distance, is sufficient to slow a wooden object that strikes the first screen at a speed of approximately 50 feet per second, and that in combination with the shatter resistance of its corresponding pane, prevents substantial damage to the pane in the event the object strikes the pane.
 20. The window-screen combination of claim 19 wherein each screen is comprised of a mesh material having a tensile strength of at least about 100,000 psi.
 21. The window-screen combination of claim 19 wherein each screen is coated with an epoxy finish.
 22. The window-screen combination of claim 19 wherein each screen has a mesh size that is no greater than the width of a piece of size #6 aggregate.
 23. The window-screen combination of claim 22 wherein each screen is comprised of at least 12 wires per lineal inch, each of said wires having a diameter of at least 0.023 inches.
 24. The window-screen combination of claim 19 wherein the wooden object has nominal widths of approximately two inches by four inches and a length that is approximately between seven feet and nine feet.
 25. A window-screen combination system, comprising: a structural frame sized to fit substantially within a standard building window frame, the structural frame including at least one guideway; a first window pane that, in combination with a gasket, is received by a pane frame, wherein the pane frame is sized and positioned to be received by one of the guideways; a first screen corresponding to the first pane, the first screen located parallel to and at a predetermined distance from the pane, the first screen further positioned so that the screen does not substantially protrude from the structural frame; and a retainer and locking means that, in combination, secure the first screen to the structural frame; wherein the first screen comprises a wire mesh having a tensile strength of at least 100,000 psi, such that, when the system is installed, said first screen, in combination with the predetermined distance, is sufficient to substantially slow or stop a wooden object that strikes the first screen at a speed of approximately 50 feet per second, and is also sufficient to prevent substantial damage to its corresponding pane.
 26. The window-screen combination of claim 25 wherein said first screen is comprised of wire mesh having at least 10 strands of wire per lineal inch.
 27. The window-screen combination of claim 25 wherein said first screen is comprised of wire mesh in which said wire has a diameter of at least 0.018 inches.
 28. The window-screen combination of claim 26 wherein said first screen is comprised of a wire mesh having a tensile strength of at least 200,000 psi, said wire mesh having at least 12 wire strands per lineal inch, the diameter of said wire being at least 0.023 inches. 